It was so powerful as a professional and uplifting exercise.
Simply magical and transformational.
It was sublime. Trust me.
LOTUS POSITION
LOTUS POSITION
All you need to know about this yoga pose
It is one of the most famous positions of yoga, and used in meditation or in the Buddhist religion. The lotus pose has the ability to relax and unwind, but also to awaken your vitality. This characteristic sitting posture truly resembles a lotus, since it recalls the petals of a lotus flower, which grows to rise as close as possible to the sun.
The position promotes harmony and stability of the
body, as well as the relationship between body and mind.
CONTENTS
·
The origins of this posture
·
Lotus symbol
·
The benefits of the lotus position
·
How to practice it effectively?
·
Conclusion on the lotus position
THE ORIGINS OF THIS POSTURE
The
lotus, also called padma in Sanskrit , is a symbol particularly used in Asia.
Over the centuries, the flower has thus symbolized a multitude of meanings,
namely: purity and beauty; renewal and rebirth; enlightenment; wealth, etc.
Yoga
therefore emerged from these different icons. It is not clear when the first
mention of the lotus occurred. However, it appears that the Yoga Sutra of
Patanjali already spoke of the need for a comfortable sitting posture to
practice yoga and achieve spiritual elevation. On the other hand, it does not
clearly mention the position of the lotus.
A
few centuries later (400 years AD), the idea of Patanjali is further
developed and taken up by the sage Vyasa . The latter speaks of the lotus
posture as a particularly important posture for the practice of Yoga and
meditation in general. Later, in the 15 th century, the first texts speaking of
postures necessary for physical health, not just for meditation, are written.
LOTUS SYMBOL
Many
words can refer to the lotus, pankajam is one of them. It means "that
which is born in the mud". And for good reason, the lotus flower grows in
the mud, in a swamp, but ends up rising above the ground towards the heavens,
so as not to be damaged or soiled by what surrounds it.
The
flower thus symbolizes what is beautiful and which ends up rising above its
origins, with a certain form of liberation. Liberation from misery, but above
all from suffering. Namely that liberation is the ultimate goal of yoga.
Among
other symbols, let us note that the lotus, and more particularly its leaf, does
not touch what falls on it, thus letting the water bead and slide without
disturbing it. Thus, our mind should be inspired by it so as not to be
disturbed by external events or our environment. The lotus can be found in all
of us.
THE BENEFITS OF THE LOTUS POSITION
The
lotus posture has several benefits, both physical and psychic.
THE PHYSICAL BENEFITS
The
lotus pose allows the hips to be opened, the maintenance of an erect posture
and the learning of an adequate posture. It also helps to work on the flexibility
of the joints, ligaments, and muscles. At the visceral level, it fights against
digestive disorders.
It
also increases concentration and focus on a specific task.
The
lotus pose also helps increase the energy levels of the human body. Indeed, the
position promotes blood circulation in sometimes poorly oxygenated areas
(viscera, spine ...) and it would awaken a dormant energy called
"kundalini" (located at the bottom of the spine) in order to move it
upwards. of the Chakra system.
This
dormant energy moves by contracting specific areas (bandhas) located in the
abdomen, pelvic floor and chin. The pelvic floor is also particularly worked
during the lotus posture. And for good reason, the pelvic floor is directly in
contact with the ground, while the heels press the lower abdomen which helps to
guide the pelvic floor naturally upwards.
Once
this technique is well mastered, yoga practitioners begin to feel a real force
emanating from their body. They gradually learn to channel it, and then feel
much less tired, and more energetic. This beneficial energy can then be used in
various activities of daily life, but also to develop our spirituality.
Lotus
pose increases concentration
RELAXATION OF THE MIND
Not
content with energizing the body, the lotus pose can also be particularly
calming and relaxing. Maintaining good posture, with the spine aligned,
facilitates deep and relaxing breathing, with movements being reduced by
locking different parts of the body.
The
parasympathetic nerves located in the sacrum are stimulated by the pelvis
placed on the ground, thus allowing a relaxing effect.
While
in the position, whether the arms are tied or resting on the thighs, you should
take 10 breaths or hold 10 minutes. This makes it possible to produce apana
(one of the five vital breaths) towards the bottom of the body and to release
excess energy (vata, in the form of air), which will have the consequence of
obtaining a calming effect.
The
lotus flower posture, used throughout the month, but also during menstruation,
helps to fight against inconvenience, and more particularly against menstrual
pain. As we have seen, the practice of yoga will allow us to acquire a certain
flexibility, to strengthen our muscles and in particular those of the pelvic
floor, and finally to relax our nervous system. Thus the stress being reduced,
the regulation of the hormones which intervene in the menstruation will be done
in an optimal way.
You
can also combine this position with breathing exercises and meditation to
increase the relaxing effects. You will find that by then you will feel much
more relaxed and in a better mood, ready to face those rules that ruined your
life before.
Note
that the lotus posture also helps prepare for childbirth in the first months of
pregnancy, since it stretches the pelvic floor, prepares the vaginal opening,
and opens the hips.
HOW TO PRACTICE IT EFFECTIVELY?
Start
by sitting comfortably on your glutes. Bring your feet and toes towards you.
Correctly straighten your back, as if you are stretching upwards, and place your
shoulders well back.
Then
bring the right foot back to the crease of the left groin, as high as you can.
Do the same with the left foot, placing it on the crease of the right groin.
You
must now glue your knees to the ground to best secure the position. If you are
not flexible enough to do it simply, you can add a yoga brick or a small
cushion under your buttocks, it will make the posture easier.
Finally,
place your hands flat on your knees, or make the classic circle with your thumb
and forefinger.
Remember
to breathe well with your nose, because breathing is particularly important as
we have seen previously.
CONCLUSION ON THE LOTUS POSITION
The
lotus pose is one of the most famous yoga poses. Simple to make, it will suit
anyone looking to relax their mind and feel general well-being. It will have
multiple benefits, and thanks to it you will find flexibility and vitality.
_Sadix_
Do you
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By Isabelle Hernandez
Review of the 5 elements
These elements are interdependent; in Ayurveda, they are called pancha maha bhuta, the 5 states of matter. Ākaśa, space is the most subtle, when movement occurs, it is vayu, the air that comes into action. The movement causes friction which creates heat and tejas, Fire. The condensation of Fire will turn into jala, Water. And last step, the densification of water turns into prithivi, the Earth.
All these states of matter have specific proportions, specific to each one, defined at birth, it is our prakriti, our true Nature. The elements will be activated by the dosha, principles of movement intelligence for vata (Ether + Air), transformation for pitta (Fire + Water) and cohesion for kapha (Water + Earth). When they are found in vikriti (imbalances), these dosha evolve towards excess or insufficiency. For example, too much water causes congestion, too much fire, an inflammatory ground, too much air, drought. We can act on these dosha to find harmony.
Each element can be explored through food, lifestyle, yoga practice.
The exploration is vast and endless and we will offer practices to understand the essence of each of the elements.
Picture from- pixnio.comThe practice of integral Yoga with the Ayurvedic approach allows to go with finesse towards a practice adapted according to our constitution and our state of the moment. Let us take the example of a person of kapha constitution (Earth & Water). She will have every interest in stimulating Fire and Air in her practice to avoid her tendency to stagnate fluids. Stimulating, warming, demanding practices will be necessary.
This same orientation, practiced in excess by a person having a pitta constitution with a strong inner Fire, would risk "burning" him. But if this person of Pitta Nature learns to channel his Fire thanks to the strengthening of the elements Earth and Water, he will stimulate his Fire without risking a "fire".
_Sadix_
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